Vida Plena Hospitality
Eleven Restaurants and Counting
Story and photos courtest of Vida Plena Hospitality
In Lisbon’s Caís do Sodré, Vida Plena’s journey began with Café Janis, an inviting all-day café. Today, boasting eleven locations across Lisbon, including the restaurants Farés, Dallas, and Palma Cantina, Vida Plena Hospitality Group remains committed to fostering warmth and inclusivity. Their ethos revolves around creating a sense of home and belonging for staff and guests at every venue. Each one exudes unique charm, yet all share the goal of providing a blissful experience that makes every guest feel valued and welcomed. From sunrise to sunset, the company’s establishments serve as cherished gathering spots for locals and travelers alike, embodying the spirit of Lisbon’s vibrant hospitality scene. Here’s a peek into each of their locations!
Café Janis
Where Vida Plena Hospitality started, Café Janis is a lively all day corner café. At Café Janis, they’re not just brewing coffee; they’re crafting experiences. A cozy corner café by day, situated in the very center of Lisbon and a vibrant spot for late-night delights — every moment here is about warmth, connection, and that perfect cup.
Farés
“Fares was an epic road to transform an old dirty kebab into a small middle eastern tavern” the Vida Plena team shares. “Our dream was to create a vibrant busy spot serving flavorful sharing plates and inventive cocktails listening to world beats all night.” Today, Farés is part of Lisbon’s bustling Rua São Paulo, bringing life and flavor to this once-neglected street.
Dallas
After a trip to the Big Apple in early 2019, the Vida Plena Hospitality team returned with an insatiable appetite for dirty burgers. Discovering the perfect location next to the ever-bustling Pink Street, they were inspired to establish a vintage burger joint. The mission? To serve up high-quality burgers made from grass-fed Portuguese meat, alongside plant-based options, crunchy french fries, and a range of veggie and vegan delights.
“Fast forward to today, and the original vision has expanded. The Pink Street venue was just the beginning. It became the blueprint for our first replicated spot, and now, we proudly boast three Dallas locations in some of Lisbon’s hottest spots. And we’re not stopping there! We’re gearing up to open even more locations, each with its unique charm while staying true to our core values.” shares the Vida Plena Hospitality website.
Coppola
Coppola, nestled in the vibrant heart of Praça das Flores, celebrates the art of sharing with mouth-watering, naturally fermented cheesy pizzas, a selection of tempting antipasti, and an exquisite collection of natural wines and refreshing cocktails.
The menu is crafted for communal enjoyment, with each dish designed to bring people together. The Vida Plena team believes the foundation of an unforgettable pizza is its dough. That’s why they devote time and passion to perfecting the naturally fermented dough, ensuring it’s the ideal base for the delectable toppings! A selection of natural wines is carefully chosen to complement the flavors of the pizzas and antipasti, creating a delightful dining experience.
Palma
Palma, is a go-to spot for cheesy empanadas and delightful cocktails, served all day and all night. This Latin all-day café, complete with a wood oven to play with, is a slice of South American nostalgia.
Born in June 2020, Palma bravely emerged right after Lisbon’s initial lockdown. With a vast terrace that weathered the storm, the summer vibes were infectious, making every moment unforgettable.
Leonetta
“When we got the chance to access a new space, even though we were still in the middle of the pandemic,” the Vida Plena team recalls, “we felt the place had a deep authentic soul and would perfectly fit Italian food & spirit.”
With a love for fresh pasta and having family in Rome, the Vida Plena Hospitality group wanted to try something different for Lisbon. They had two big tasks: filling-up the place with an enormous amount of frames and decorative objects and elaborate a well-balanced pasta dough. Pasta is now made fresh daily in-house at Leonetta.
Javá
After overcoming three and a half years of administrative struggles and navigating through a lengthy elevator approval process, Javá Rooftop has risen to become a truly remarkable destination.
A captivating venue, Javá delights guests from the moment they step foot on the rooftop. Every detail, from the thoughtfully designed layout and weather protections to the seamless circulation and charming decorations, has been carefully considered to ensure an optimal experience for visitors. VIE was able to visit Javá this past winter, and the flavors, view, and service was top-notch!
Fabric
Vida Plena Hospitality’s love for Middle Eastern food continued to grow after opening Farès. Their new obsession: find a new place with a bigger kitchen to be able to produce bread and offer fresh daily lunch options.
Fabric has something extra special up their sleeves – catering! From corporate shindigs to parties and everything in between, they will bring the flavor to your next event.
Rosamar
An endless love for grilled food and Portuguese products led to the opening of Rosamar in early 2022. A sustainable seafood grill and oyster bar, Rosamar only purchases local products from sustainable and ethical suppliers, and never works with farm-raised fish.
Cosmo
Cosmo, short for ‘cosmopolitan’, is more than just a restaurant; it’s a vibrant hub in the heart of Cais do Sodré. The core value revolves around inclusivity, ensuring every guest feels welcomed and valued. Picture a place lit by candle glow, where you can watch chefs grill fresh veggies over an open fire. Inspired by Mediterranean Cuisine cooked over fire, the dishes boast a contemporary, sustainable, and health-conscious twist.
— V —
To learn more about the Vida Plena group and its eleven restaurants (so far), visit Vida-Plena.com or @vidaplena.hospitality on Instagram.
Share This Story!
KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST STORIES FROM VIE